Be Responsible in Your Utterances; AEI to Political Parties

The Africa Electoral Institute (AEI) has charged political parties and their members to be circumspect about the things they utter, eschewing incendiary language to cement a peaceful general election.

The caution comes after some political actors from the two major political parties in the country made distasteful comments about the outcome of the elections.

In a statement, the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) reminded parties that words could have unforeseen consequences such as destabilizing the country’s democracy.

It thus urged political parties and their actors to follow the laid down process for election.

“The current constitution of Ghana has clearly stated how power should be won, and that is by winning elections conducted by the Electoral Commission in a free, fair, transparent and accountable manner and the ultimate winner declared as such by the Chair of the Electoral Commission. Any other means aside from what the Constitution has stipulated, will be illegal, unlawful, and will be tantamount to usurping the power of the people through unconventional means, which is unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, it urged the police service to take action against persons who threaten the electoral process through their speeches.

“The African Electoral Institute will want to encourage the Security services, including National Security to take such utterances that have the potential to jeopardize our democracy and country seriously by arresting or inviting such people for investigation and where possible, put them before the law courts to have them dealt with. It is dangerous to always sweep such issues under the carpet because one can not tell how their audience interprets or thinks about such messages before it is too late.”

Background
During a rally in Nsawam in the Easterm Region over the weekend, the Minister for Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong asserted for the second time this year that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was not going to win power in the general elections.

The Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency who is also the owner of Rock City Hotel noted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was going to move heaven and earth to retain power.

“I have said that if NDC likes it or not they will not win the 2024 elections. They would not win. You can check their records. They would not win. The NPP would win the elections.”

“We would do whatever it takes to win the elections. We are a political party that has pastors, imams, and traditionalists so whatever means we would take to win the elections, we would do so. Burn the sea if you don’t understand.”

In reaction to this, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the country’s largest opposition party alluded to arsonizing the hotel of the politician if anything untoward happens in the election.

“The sea cannot be burnt but a hotel can. When we get there, Insha Allah, we shall cross.”